South Africa ICJ case vs 'Israel': First hearing tomorrow
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'Israel' will appear tomorrow for the first time since 1948 before the ICJ.
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The logo of the International Court of Justice and the UN at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, the United Nations' highest judicial organ, in The Hague, Netherlands, October 10, 2023 (AP)
On day 97 of the aggression against Gaza, tomorrow, "Israel" will appear for the first time since its occupation of Palestine in 1948, before the International Court of Justice accused of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The lawsuit submitted on December 29 by the State of South Africa to the court states that the IOF has been committing genocide in Gaza. It consists of 84 pages including a variety of evidence.
Al Mayadeen's envoy to The Hague, the headquarters of the ICJ, indicated that the session will be held tomorrow morning in the presence of South African lawyers with evidence of more than 200 statements by Israeli officials from both political and military levels.
As for Friday, the occupation is expected to respond to South Africa's review so that it can "defend itself". The occupation has prepared a large team of lawyer.
The decision, which may take several days to be issued, may include stopping the war on Gaza, stopping the displacement of Palestinians and destruction, bringing in food and medical aid immediately, restoring electricity, and lifting the siege on the Strip.
ICJ will pave the way for the ICC
Tomorrow's session before the ICJ is essential for it may be an important introduction to what "Israel" faces before the International Criminal Court.
This means that the 300 lawyers who filed a genocide lawsuit against “Israel” more than a month ago before the International Criminal Court will rely on the decision that will be taken by the International Court of Justice, to name the people there and prosecute those responsible for the genocide.
Will this legal action change anything?
According to Professor Hassan Jouni, a legal expert in international law and organizations, the course of this consists of two stages, he told Al Mayadeen Net. In the first stage, the court takes precautionary measures(demanding the halt of war) and in the second, trial procedures begin where the court asks member states to give their legal opinions on the presented case.
Professor Jouni believes that the real change and battle is in the second phase where "Israel" will mobilize and communicate with countries in its favor. He also emphasized that Lebanon and other arab countries should immediately take a stance in support of South Africa's case before the court begins discussing the legal core of the occupation's crimes.
